One-piece electrical fitting for snap connection

ABSTRACT

A one-piece electrical fitting for connecting an electrical cable to a junction box, the electrical fitting formed from a single, flat blank of metal into a cylindrical connector body. The connector body includes a leading end, a trailing end, a cap, an inner bore, and one or more grounding tangs, locking tangs, and flanges extending radially outward from the connector body. According to one embodiment, the flanges extend from the grounding tangs and the locking tangs include free ends. According to a further embodiment, the locking tangs extend from an interior base of the locking tangs. In a further embodiment, a seat extends between the flanges of the grounding tangs and the free end of the locking tangs. One or more cable retaining tangs extend inward from the connector body into the inner bore. The one-piece electrical fitting is stamped and formed from a flat blank of metal. A tab and groove arrangement on the blank facilitates forming the blank into the cylindrical connector body, which is held together by a locking arrangement between the cap and the cylindrical connector body.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/991,726, filed May 29, 2018 which is still pending, and is related toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/648,567, filed Jul. 13, 2017, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,966,708, both of which applications had claimed thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/512,288, filed May30, 2017, all of which applications have in common the same inventorsand assignee of the present application.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

These inventions relate generally to one-piece electrical fittings forconnecting electrical cables to junction boxes. In particular, theseinventions relate to one-piece electrical fittings formed from a singlesheet metal into a unitary, cylindrical body for securing electricalcables to junction boxes with snap-in, or otherwise known asquick-connect, features that eliminate the need for installation tools.

BACKGROUND

Quick-connect electrical fittings require production and secondaryassembly of several components. The connector body is die-cast of metal,while separate parts are stamped of sheet metal and then secured to theconnector body in a secondary assembly process. Die-casting is anexpensive procedure that requires precision machinery, costly molds, andconsumes a substantial amount of metal alloy. Making and assemblingseparate parts adds to these costs. A need therefore exists forone-piece electrical fittings that reduce production costs and eliminatesecondary assembly processes. These one-piece electrical fittings mustbe capable of establishing and maintaining electrical continuity betweenelectrical cables, the fittings, and junction boxes. Furthermore, theseone-piece electrical fittings must have quick-connect structures at theleading end for connection to a junction box and at the trailing end forsecuring electrical cables as well as restricting rearward removal ofthe cables.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the foregoing needs, Applicant has invented one-pieceelectrical fittings with a leading end and a trailing end formed from asingle flat blank of metal. A locking arrangement of tabs andcomplementary grooves facilitates rolling the single blank into acylindrical body. The tabs extend from a second edge of the singleblank, and a first edge of the blank defines complementary grooves toreceive and lock the tabs when the blank is rolled into a cylindricalbody. A cap extends from the leading end of the blank by way of a hinge.The cap is bent over to form the leading end of the cylindricalconnector body and hold it together through with a locking arrangement.

Several embodiments of the cap and locking arrangement are provided.According to one embodiment, a tab extends from the cap and engages aleading edge slot in the connector body. According to a furtherembodiment, one or more tabs extend from the connected body and are bentover notches in the outer periphery of the cap. The cap also includes acentral opening and a lip that is rolled outwardly to form an arcuateshoulder. Alternatively, an insert with a smooth plastic throat isinserted into the opening.

One or more grounding and locking tangs extend radially outward from thecircumference of the connector body. According to one embodiment, eachgrounding tang includes a flange and each locking tang includes a freeend. According to a further embodiment, the locking tangs extend from aninterior base of the grounding tangs. According to a further embodiment,flanges extend outwards from the connector body and are separate fromthe locking tangs and grounding tangs. According to a furtherembodiment, the grounding tangs, locking tangs, and flanges each extendseparately from the connector body. One or more cable retaining tangsextend radially inward from the connector body into the inner bore.

EXEMPLARY ADVANTAGES

The one-piece electrical fittings are formed from a single, unitary flatblank of metal. As a result, these one-piece electrical fittingssubstantially reduce production costs by eliminating the need forexpensive and complex die-casting of the connector body, separatestamping of sheet metal into quick-connect parts for the leading andtrailing ends, and subsequent assembly of all parts in secondaryprocesses.

The one-piece electrical fittings further provide easy snap-in insertionof an electrical cable into a knockout of an electrical box, includingeasy snap-in insertion of an electrical cable at the trailing end of thefitting and easy snap-in insertion into the knockout at the leading endof the fitting. At the same time, the one-piece electrical fittingsfurther provide strain relief to restrict rearward removal of theelectrical cable from the fitting. As a result, the one-piece electricalfittings provide cost-effective and efficient means for installingelectrical cables to junction boxes.

The one-piece electrical fittings do not require a separate split ringfor connecting the fitting to the junction box. Nor do the one-pieceelectrical fittings require separate cable retaining rings or clips forsecuring electrical cables into the fitting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a one-piece electrical fitting accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank used to form the one-piece electricalfitting of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of a one-piece electrical fitting according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the one-piece electrical fitting of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the one-piece electrical fitting of FIG. 1taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an embodiment of a first cable retaining tang.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the first cable retaining tang of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an embodiment of a second cable retaining tang.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the second cable retaining tang of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an embodiment of a third cable retaining.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the third cable retaining tang of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a one-piece electrical fitting as viewedfrom the trailing end according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the one-piece electrical fitting of FIG.1 as viewed from the leading end.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the one-piece electrical fitting of FIG.1 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 with the locking tang and windowdeleted to show the grounding tang.

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a one-piece electrical fitting accordingto a second and preferred embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the one-piece electrical fitting of FIG.15.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a blank used to form a one-piece electricalfitting according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 17A is a sectional view of the blank taken along line 17A-17A ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 17B is a sectional view of the blank taken along line 17B-17B ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a one-piece electrical fitting accordingto the third embodiment as formed from the blank of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a blank used to form a one-piece electricalfitting according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a one-piece electrical fitting accordingto a fourth embodiment as formed from the blank of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a blank used to form a one-piece electricalfitting according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an end view from the trailing end of a one-piece electricalfitting according to a fifth embodiment as formed from the blank of FIG.21.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a blank used to form a one-piece electricalfitting according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an end view from the trailing end of a one-piece electricalfitting according to a sixth embodiment as formed from the blank of FIG.23.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of the leading end of a one-piece electricalfitting according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a sectional view of a tubular insert that forms a portion ofthe one-piece electrical fitting embodiment of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a side view of the one-piece electrical fitting of FIG. 15.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view of the one-piece electrical fitting of FIG.27 taken along line 28-28.

FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the one-piece electrical fitting of FIG.27 taken along line 29-29.

FIG. 30 is an isometric view of the one-piece electrical fitting of FIG.15 as viewed from the trailing end.

INDEX TO REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

20 one-piece electrical fitting

22 connector body of one-piece electrical fitting

24 leading end of the connector body

26 trailing end of the connector body

28 cap

30 locking tangs

32 grounding tangs

34 cable retaining tangs

36 blank

38 leading end of the blank

40 trailing end of the blank

41 slit defining grounding tangs

42 slit defining cable retaining tangs

44 slot defining locking tangs

46 parallel slots defining cable retaining tangs

48 projection forming cap

50 first edge of blank

52 second edge of blank

54 T-shaped slots

55 side channels of T-shaped slots

56 T-shaped tabs

57 side extensions of T-shaped tabs

58 leading edge slot of blank

59 longitudinal seam

60 hinge

62 main body portion of cap

64 opening

66 tab extending from the main body portion

67 outer ends of locking tangs and grounding tangs

68 free end of locking tangs

70 second bend-line of grounding tangs

72 lip of cap

74 arcuate shoulder

76 inner surface of lip

78 arm of cable retaining tangs

80 end portion of arm

81 angled end portion of cable retaining tangs 34 b and 34 c

82 major side of cable retaining tangs 34 b and 34 c

83 wall of connector body

84 open area at center of fitting

85 base of grounding tangs

86 end portion of grounding tangs

88 grounding flanges

89 inner bore

90 seat of grounding tangs

92 center axis of connector body

94 outer periphery of cap

95 base of locking tangs

96 base of cable retaining tangs

97 first leg extending from cap

98 second leg extending from cap

200 second and preferred embodiment of one-piece electrical fitting

256 tabs at longitudinal seam

270 notches of cap

272 outer periphery of cap

283 tabs of connector body

300 third embodiment of one-piece electrical fitting

330 locking tangs

331 outer circumference of connector body

332 grounding tangs

338 flanges

370 notches of cap

383 tabs of connector body

390 seat

400 fourth embodiment of one-piece electrical fitting

430 locking tangs

432 grounding tangs

488 flanges

500 fifth embodiment of one-piece electrical fitting

502 cable retaining arrangement

534 cable retaining tang

536 two sides of cable retaining tang

538 slots forming two sides

540 blank

542 bifurcated end

544 slit in blank

546 base of cable retaining tang

548 slot dividing cable retaining tang

550 arms of cable retaining tang

552 bend-line of arms

556 flat wall portion of connector body

558 end portion of cable retaining tang

600 sixth embodiment of one-piece electrical fitting

634 cable retaining tangs

636 end portion of cable retaining tang

638 outer side of cable retaining tang

640 inner side of cable retaining tang

642 termination point of inner side of cable retaining tang

644 inner bore

646 wall of connector body

700 seventh embodiment of one-piece electrical fitting

728 cap

764 opening

766 tubular insert

770 leading flange of tubular insert

772 trailing flange of tubular insert

774 recess

776 throat of tubular insert

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a one-piece electrical fitting 20 according to a firstembodiment. The one-piece electrical fitting 20 has a cylindricalconnector body 22 with a leading end 24 and a trailing end 26. Theleading end 24 is formed by a cap 28 that extends from the connectorbody 22 by way of a hinge 60. The shape of the cap 28 in this embodimentis shown as a truncated circle with an outer periphery 94 thatcorresponds to the circumference of the cylindrical connector body 22.The outer periphery 94 preferably forms a diameter of the cap 28 that islarger than the diameter of cylindrical connector body 22.

A tab 66 extends from cap 28 on a truncated side opposite from hinge 60.Tab 66 engages a leading edge slot 58 near the leading end 24 of theconnector body 22 to hold the connector body together. The cap 28further includes a central opening with an outwardly-rolled lip 72 toform an arcuate shoulder 74 on inner surface 76 (see FIG. 5). Thearcuate shoulder 74 will provide a smooth surface for any electricalconductors (not shown) inserted through the cap 28, preventing cuttingor abrasion of the insulating sheaths on the electrical conductors.

The one-piece electrical fitting 20 further includes one or more lockingtangs 30 and one or more grounding tangs 32 extending radially outwardfrom the connector body 22. In one embodiment, a given locking tang 30is part of an interior base of grounding tang 32. Grounding tangs 32each include a grounding flange 88 extending further outward from thegrounding tangs 32 at an angle that is substantially perpendicular tothe connector body 22. During installation and operation, the groundingflange 88 stops forward advancement of the one-piece electrical fitting20 into a junction box (not shown). Grounding tangs 32 also include aseat 90 between grounding flange 88 and the locking tangs 30. Duringoperation, the seat 90 sits flush against and accommodates the innerperiphery or inner wall of a knockout hole in a junction box (notshown). The one-piece electrical fitting 20 further includes one or morecable retaining tangs 34 extending radially inward from the connectorbody 22.

A longitudinal seam 59 runs from the trailing end 26 to the leading end24 of the connector body 22. Two edges 50 and 52 are joined at this seam59 through a flush, gap-free locking arrangement of tabs 56 extendingfrom the second edge 50 and corresponding slots or grooves 54 in thefirst edge 52. In one embodiment, the tabs 56 and grooves 54 areT-shaped, as shown in FIG. 1. The one-piece electrical fitting 20 isheld together by way of the locking arrangement of the tabs 56 andgrooves 54 in combination with the cap 28, which is in lockingengagement with the connector body 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, the one-piece electrical fitting 20 is formed froma single blank 36 constructed preferably of metal and rolled into acylindrical shape in a forming operation. The blank 36 is formed from aflat metal sheet and includes a leading end 38 and a trailing end 40.The blank's leading end 38 along with the cap 28 will form the connectorbody's leading end 24, while the blank's trailing end 40 will form theconnector body's trailing end 26. The overall shape and portions of theblank are removed in a metal-stamping operation to form features in theeventual connector body 22.

The blank 36 includes a first edge 50 and a second edge 52. First edge50 includes two T-shaped slots or grooves 54 and the second edge 52includes two complementary T-shaped tabs 56 which will extend into theT-shaped grooves when the blank is rolled into a cylindrical shape in aforming operation. T-shaped slots 54 include side channels 55 andT-shaped tabs 56 include side extensions 57. The blank 36 furtherincludes a leading edge slot 58 that is substantially parallel with theleading end 38. As shown in FIG. 1, the two edges 50 and 52 of thefitting form a flush, gap-free connection along the longitudinal seam 59of the connector body 22.

A projection 48 from the leading end 38 will form the cap 28. The cap 28projects from the blank 36 by way of the hinge 60. As described withreference to FIG. 1, the cap 28 has a circular shape with a main bodyportion 62 truncated at two opposing sides. The hinge 60 connects to onetruncated side of the cap 28, while tab 66 extends from a differenttruncated side. The cap 28 further has an opening 64 in its center.

As further shown in FIG. 2, slits 41 are formed to define the groundingtangs 32. Slits 42 are formed to define the cable retaining tangs 34.U-shaped slots 44 are formed to define the locking tangs 30. A series ofpaired parallel slots 46 a, 46 b, and 46 c are formed to define aplurality of cable retaining tangs 34 a, 34 b, and 34 c. Preferably,paired parallel slots 46 a are parallel with first edge 50 and secondedge 52, paired parallel slots 46 b are sloped toward the second edge52, and paired parallel slots 46 c are sloped away from the second edge52. The projection 48 includes a hinge 60 extending from the leading end38, a main body portion 62, an opening 64, and a tab 66.

After the blank 36 is stamped out, the locking tangs 30 and groundingtangs 32 are bent out of the plane of the blank 36 such that they extendradially outward from the cylindrical connector body 22 once the blank36 has been rolled into the one-piece electrical fitting 20. The cableretaining tangs 34 a, 34 b, and 34 c are bent out of the plane of theblank 36 such that they extend radially inward from the connector body22 once the blank 36 has been rolled into the one-piece electricalfitting 20.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the blank is then rolled into a cylindricalshape to form the connector body 22, with the cable retaining tangs 34a, 34 b, and 34 c extending radially inward of the connector body 22.The cable retaining tangs 34 b and 34 c each include a major side 82 andare slanted in opposing directions with respect to tang 34 a. The cableretaining tangs 34 a, 34 b, and 34 c in combination will direct anelectrical cable (not shown) inserted into the electrical fitting 20toward the open area 84 at the center of the fitting 20 and willsecurely engage and hold the cable between the cable retaining tangs 34a, 34 b, and 34 c and the wall 83 of the connector body.

The locking tangs 30 and grounding tangs 32 extending radially outwardof the tubular connector body 22. Laterally across the connector body,the outer ends 67 of locking tangs 30 and grounding tangs 32 are arcuatein shape, as shown in FIG. 4. Locking tangs 30 each include a base 95 atits connection to the wall 83 and each of the cable retaining tangsinclude a base 96 at their respective connections to the wall 83.Preferably at least one locking tang 30 is offset angularly by angle θ3from the cable retaining tang 34 c. Thus, at least one locking tang 30is not in longitudinal alignment with a cable retaining tang 34 b alongthe connector body 22. Preferably two locking tangs 30 are offsetradially from the cable retaining tangs 34 with respect to the axialcenter 92 of the connector body 22.

With reference to FIG. 5, tab 66 of cap 28 extends into and engagesleading edge slot 58 to hold the connector body 22 together. The lockingtangs 30 are bent radially outward from the connector body 22. Thelocking tangs 30 include free ends 68 that are flat in cross-section andoriented toward the trailing end 26 of the connector body 22. Thegrounding tangs 32 are also bent radially outward from the connectorbody 22, oriented toward the trailing end 26 of the connector body 22,and include a second bend-line 70. The locking tangs 30 and thegrounding tangs 32 extend at different angles outward from the connectorbody 22. The grounding flanges 88 extend from the grounding tangs 32 atyet another angle, which is in this embodiment substantiallyperpendicular to the wall 83 of the connector body 22.

The cap 28 includes a lip 72 that is rolled outwardly to provide anarcuate shoulder 74 on its inner surface 76. The arcuate shoulder 74provides a smooth surface for any electrical conductors (not shown) thatare inserted through the opening in the cap 28, preventing any potentialcutting or abrasion of the insulating sheaths on the electricalconductors. Tab 66 is engaged with leading edge slot 58. The connectorbody 22 includes a substantially constant diameter D1 from leading end24 to trailing end 26.

The cable retaining tangs, of which 34 b is visible in FIG. 5, areoriented toward the leading end 24 of the connector body 22. Referringto FIGS. 6-11, each cable retaining tang 34 a, 34 b, and 34 c includesan arm 78 extending inward from the connector body 22 and an end portion80, with the arm 78 bent at a first angle θ1 with respect to theconnector body and the end portion 80 bent at a second angle θ2 withrespect to the connector body 22. As shown in FIG. 6, cable retainingtang 34 a terminates in a flat end portion 80. As shown in FIGS. 8 and10, cable retaining tangs 34 b and 34 c terminate in an angled endportion 81, respectively. The angled end portions 81 are slanted inopposing directions, as shown in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 13, locking tangs 30 extend from the interior of thebase 85 of the grounding tangs 32. A seat 90 extends between the end ofeach locking tang 30 and the flange 88 of each grounding tang 32. Whenthe one-piece electrical fitting 20 is inserted within a junction box(not shown), locking tangs 30 will depress and snap outwards after thewall of the junction box has cleared the locking tangs. When pressingthe electrical fitting 20 within a knockout aperture (not shown), thelocking tangs 30 will flex inward until the locking tangs have clearedthe junction box wall (not shown), after which the locking tangs willsnap outward to their unbiased positions.

Flange 88 will stop forward advancement of the one-piece electricalfitting 20 into the junction box. Locking tangs 30 and flanges 88 ofgrounding tangs 32 will then retain the inner periphery or wall of theknockout aperture in the seat 90. The one-piece metal construction ofthe electrical fitting 20, and the pressure exerted by the resilientlocking tangs and the grounding tangs, provide good electricalcontinuity or grounding between the one-piece electrical fitting 20 andthe junction box. Likewise, the one-piece metal construction of theelectrical fitting 20, and the pressure exerted by the cable retainingtangs 34 a, 34 b, and 34 c, provide good electrical continuity orgrounding between the one-piece electrical fitting 20 and the insertedelectrical cable. Furthermore, the locking tangs 30 and grounding tangs32 will hold the one-piece electrical fitting 20 firmly to the junctionbox, while the cable retaining tangs 34 a, 34 b, and 34 c will hold anelectrical cable securely in the one-piece electrical fitting 20 andjunction box. The bent arms 78 in combination with the end portions 80and 81 of the cable retaining tangs 34 further act to restrict rearwardwithdrawal of inserted electrical cables. At the same time, the cableretaining tangs 34 also guide the electrical cables (not shown) to theconnector body's leading end 24 and through the open area 84 of the cap28.

Referring to FIG. 14, the connector body 22 is preferably of constantthickness and bore 89 is preferably of constant diameter from leadingend 24 to trailing end 26. Opening 64 in cap 28 is substantially coaxialwith center axis 92 of connector body 22. Tab 66 of cap 28 includes afirst leg 97 extending substantially perpendicular from the cap 28 and asecond leg 98 that is substantially parallel to the cap 28. As shown inFIG. 1, the blank that forms the connector body 22 is rolled into acomplete cylindrical shape with no gap between the two edges 50 and 52of the blank 36. Thus, the one-piece electrical fitting 20 is not acompressible fitting and avoids the inclusion of a split ring on theleading edge as used in other quick-connect fittings. The cap 28includes an outer periphery 94 that is preferably of larger diameterthan the outside diameter of the wall 83 of the connector body.Therefore, a portion of cap 28 overlaps the connector body wall 83.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show another and preferred embodiment of a one-pieceelectrical fitting 200. Similar to the first embodiment 20, theone-piece electrical fitting 200 includes a one-piece cylindricalconnector body 22, a longitudinal seam 59 at the joinder of two edges 50and 52 of the connector body 22, and a cap 28. The two edges 50 and 52of the body 22 are locked together by a dovetail tab 256 on the secondedge 52 and a dovetail groove 254 on the first edge 50. The two edges 50and 52 are joined in a flush, gap-free fit.

While dovetail tabs 256 and dovetail grooves 254 are shown in FIGS. 15and 16, it will be appreciated that other shapes of tabs andcorresponding grooves may be employed. This includes, for instance,T-shaped configurations—such as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 30, circulartabs with corresponding and circular grooves, or tabs in other geometricshapes with corresponding grooves. In another alternative arrangement,the two edges 50 and 52 may be connected by way of a hinged tab insertedinto a slot.

Cap 28 extends from the connector body 22 by way of the hinge 60. Thecap 28 further includes two notches 270 on its other periphery 272. Twotabs 283 extend from the connector body 22 and are bent over the cap 28at the notches 270 to lock the cap to the connector body. In thisembodiment, the cap 28 is substantially circular and does not have a tab66. Nor does the connector body 22 have a leading edge slot 58 that isengaged by tab 66.

As shown in FIG. 27, longitudinal seam 59 runs from the trailing end 26to the leading end 24. The tabs 256 at the longitudinal seam 59 matchthe radius of the cylindrical connector body 22 and the tabs 256 areflush with the outer surface (see FIG. 15) and the inner surface (seeFIG. 30) of the connector body 22. Similar to the first embodiment, oneor more grounding tangs 32 extend at different angles radially outwardfrom the connector body 22. Locking tangs 30 extend from the interior ofthe base 85 of the grounding tangs 32. Grounding tangs 32 include agrounding flange 88 extending outward at another angle substantiallyperpendicular to the connector body 22, or parallel to the cap 28.

As shown in FIGS. 28-30, one or more cable retaining tangs 34 extendradially inward from the connector body 22 into the bore in the sameconfiguration as that described with respect to the first embodiment.The locking tangs 30 and grounding tangs 32 also similarly have outerends with arcuate edges.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show another embodiment of a one-piece electricalfitting 300. The locking tangs 330 are separate from the grounding tangs332 and are spaced apart on the outer circumference 331 of the connectorbody 22. One or more flanges 388 are separate from the grounding tang332. The flanges 388 are spaced around the outer circumference of theconnector body 22. Each flange 388 is aligned longitudinally with acorresponding locking tang 330.

A seat 390 is included on the outer circumference of the connector body22 between each locking tang 330 and its longitudinally aligned flange388. Similar to the second embodiment, two tabs 383 on the connectorbody 22 are bent over the cap 28 at notches 370 to lock the cap to theconnector body. The tabs 383 do not extend beyond the outercircumference 331 of the connector body 22. The one-piece electricalfitting 300 is formed from a single piece of sheet metal withcorresponding features as shown in FIG. 17.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show another embodiment of a one-piece electricalfitting 400. It includes a combination of locking and grounding tangs,with the locking tangs 430 extending from the interior base of thegrounding tang 432. One or more separate Flanges 488 extend from theconnector body 22 and are offset from the locking tangs 430 around thecircumference of the connector body 22. When the electrical fitting 400is installed in a knockout in an electrical box, the flanges 488 willstop the insertion of the connector body into the knockout. Theone-piece electrical fitting 400 is formed from a single piece of sheetmetal with corresponding features as shown in FIG. 19.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show another embodiment of a one-piece electricalfitting 500. In this embodiment, a cable retaining arrangement 502 isformed from a single cable retaining tang 534 bent inward from theconnector body 22. The cable retaining tang 534 includes two sides 536formed by two long slots 538 in the blank 540 and a bifurcated end 542formed by a slit 544 in the blank. The cable retaining tang 534 furtherincludes a base 546, a slot 548 formed by slit 544 dividing the cableretaining tang into two arms 550, and a bend-line 552 on each arm 550.The cable retaining tang 534 extends from a flat wall portion 556 of theconnector body 22. The bend lines for each arm 550 are offset atdifferent distances from the flat wall portion 556. Each arm 550 of thecable retaining tang 534 includes an end portion 558.

FIGS. 23 and 24 show another embodiment of a one-piece electricalfitting 600. In this embodiment, two cable retaining tangs 634 extendinward from the connector body 22. The cable retaining tangs 634 eachinclude an end portion 636, an inner side 638, and an outer side 640.The cable retaining tangs 634 extend inward from the connector body 22at a first angle, while the end portions 636 extend from the cableretaining tangs 634 at a second angle. The inner sides 638 terminate ina point 642. The points 642 of the cable retaining tangs 634 engage oneanother in the inner bore 644 of the connector body 22. When electricalfitting 600 is connected to a junction box (not shown) and an electricalcable is inserted into the trailing end of the fitting, the cableretaining tangs 634 force the inserted cable against the far wall 646 ofthe connector body 22 and thus effect good electrical continuity orgrounding of the electrical cable to the fitting and of the fitting tothe junction box.

FIGS. 25 and 26 show another embodiment of a one-piece electricalfitting 700. In the embodiment, the connector body 22 includes a cap 728with an opening 764. A tubular insert 766 is inserted into the opening764 and functions to provide a smooth, non-abrasive surface to protectthe insulation of any conductors that are later inserted through thefitting and through the opening into a junction box (not shown). Outercircumference of insert 766 includes a leading flange 770 and a trailingflange 772 defining a recess 774 for accommodating the cap 728. Insert766 further includes a throat 776 and is preferably constructed ofplastic.

The present one-piece electrical fittings offer advantages over otherquick-connect fitting in several ways, including that they are easier tomanufacture and may be manufactured at a lower unit cost. As describedhereinabove, the one-piece electrical fittings may be stamped from aflat piece of metal and formed into a cylindrical shape with the tangsbent in their respective direction and the cap bent over to form theleading end of the fitting.

Several types of electrical cable and conduit can be connected to ajunction box with these one-piece electrical fittings, including MC/HCFsteel or aluminum cable, AC/HCF steel or aluminum cable, flexible metalconduit steel and aluminum, including both regular and reduced wallthickness, and MC cable continuous corrugated aluminum. Although thedescription above contains many specific descriptions, materials, anddimensions, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of theinventions, but as merely providing illustrations of some embodiments.

1. A one-piece electrical fitting, comprising: a cylindrical connectorbody having a leading end, a trailing end, an outer circumference, and abore; at least one grounding tang extending outwardly from thecylindrical connector body; at least one locking tang extendingoutwardly from the cylindrical connector body; at least one cableretaining tang extending inwardly from the cylindrical connector body; acap forming the leading end; and the locking tangs are separate from thegrounding tangs and are spaced apart on the outer circumference of theconnector body.
 2. The one-piece electrical fitting of claim 1, whereinthe cap includes a hinge extending from the cylindrical connector body.3. The one-piece electrical fitting of claim 1, wherein the cap has ashape that complements the outer circumference of the cylindricalconnector body.
 4. The one-piece electrical fitting of claim 1, whereinthe cap has the shape of a truncated circle with a truncated portion ofthe cap being connected to the cylindrical connector body through ahinge.
 5. The one-piece electrical fitting of claim 1 further comprisinga locking arrangement, wherein the cap includes a projecting tab and thecylindrical connector body includes a leading edge slot to receive theprojecting tab of the cap.
 6. A one-piece electrical fitting,comprising: a cylindrical connector body having a leading end, atrailing end, an outer circumference, and a bore; at least one groundingtang extending outwardly from the cylindrical connector body; at leastone locking tang extending outwardly from the cylindrical connectorbody; at least one cable retaining tang extending inwardly from thecylindrical connector body; a cap forming the leading end; and the cableretaining tang includes a base, a slot formed by a slit dividing thecable retaining tang into two arms, and a bend line on each arm.
 7. Theone-piece electrical fitting of claim 6 further comprising the cableretaining tang extends from a flat wall portion of the connector body.8. The one-piece electrical fitting of claim 7 wherein the bend linesfor each arm are offset at different distances from the flat wallportion of the connector body.
 9. The one-piece electrical fitting ofclaim 8 wherein each arm of the cable retaining tang includes an endportion.
 10. The one-piece electrical fitting of claim 1, wherein thecap includes an opening defined by an outwardly-turned lip.
 11. Theone-piece electrical fitting of claim 1, wherein the locking tangextends from an interior base of the grounding tang.
 12. The one-pieceelectrical fitting of claim 11, wherein the grounding tang extendsoutward at a first angle and the locking tang extends outward at asecond angle.
 13. A one-piece electrical fitting, comprising: acylindrical connector body having a leading end, a trailing end, and abore; at least one grounding tang extending outwardly from thecylindrical connector body; at least one locking tang extendingoutwardly from the cylindrical connector body; at least one cableretaining tang extending inwardly from the cylindrical connector body; acap on the leading end of the connector body; and the cap having anouter circumference and an opening.
 14. The one-piece electrical fittingof claim 13, further comprising a tubular insert inserted into theopening of the cap to provide a smooth, non-abrasive surface to protectthe insulation of any conductors that are later inserted through thefitting and through the opening into a junction box.
 15. The one-pieceelectrical fitting of claim 14, wherein the outer circumference of thetubular insert includes a leading flange and a trailing flange.
 16. Theone-piece electrical fitting of claim 15, wherein the leading flange andthe trailing flange of the insert define a recess along the outercircumference of the tubular insert.
 17. The one-piece electricalfitting of claim 14, wherein the tubular insert includes a throat. 18.The one-piece electrical fitting of claim 17, wherein the connector bodyis constructed of metal and the tubular insert is constructed ofplastic.
 19. The one-piece electrical fitting of claim 1 furthercomprising a flange extending from the grounding tang.
 20. The one-pieceelectrical fitting of claim 19 further comprising a seat between theflange and the locking tang.